Twix and Beer is a good combination!

July 1, 2011

First I have to say that I really, really wish that I was at the cottage right now. Fourth of July is my favorite holiday of the entire year. I love the theme weeks and sitting by the campfire eating popcorn and roasting smoky links. Really what could be better. So I hope You are all having fun. I am excited though because I am going to go to Paul’s House Sunday with Jake. I think we might play some quiddler and throw the Frisbee. Should be pretty fun, better than being by myself.

So I went to old Jessica’s today for the building of the headstone of her father. But I was super late and everyone had left already. I really wish that I would have been there earlier, but it was actually really nice to be there later because then I did not have to worry about all these people talking to me and me not understanding them. I got to just hang out with her kids and her and I understood most of the conversation although Jessica did ask if I understood at one point and I went out on a limb and said I thought 2 of them were married. Wrong thing to say. It felt kind like when you ask if someone was pregnant, it is something better left unsaid. It is just hard because they always ask the question “Umefaham nani” and I need to stop translating it literally,.

I talked to Paul today and we talked about our projects. I have a love hate relationship with people when it comes to their projects for many reasons. First I love hearing about what everyone is doing, but then I get really nervous and scared that maybe I am not doing enough or am not dong any of it right. I just always have to remember that everyone is different and you cannot compare yourself. This is not an even playing field. Good news though is that it is super easy to get solar power at our school. The jist of it is that they install it and then the school has to pay for it. A little skewed but to our advantage.

Also I have already thought about and I think I might stay here for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I think that it would be really fun to hang out with the Jessica’s and their families. They are both such awesome people and help me out so much. They are the best thing that could have ever happened to me in the village. I feel like I am always surrounded by awesome people whether I am at home or in the village. Not sure what I did to deserve this but I like it.

Going to attempt pizza tomorrow. Should be fun and hopefully amazing.
Also not sure if anyone has see the episode of how I met your mother where Robin says But Yum and they make a drinking game out of it. I cannot stop saying but yum lately it is horrible. I cringe now after I say , like it is a bad thing. And it makes me wonder if have I been saying this all along or is this a new development.

July 2, 2011

The cockroaches are getting a LOT bigger. The ones in my bathroom are huge. A little scared to go at night now.. Not sure how they could hurt me but I am pretty sure that they could.
Had another full day today. I went to Jessica’s and learned to make cooked bananas with tomatoes and onion. It was really good and really easy. I think it is something that I could make in the states although it does not look that appetizing to eat I have to say. The bananas taste just like potatoes because they are so unripe. We then went to a neighbors for a party. It was really funny all of the women sit together and are dancing and then a few men were there. Jessica said that they all had already left to go to the bar.

I then came home to cook cookies for old Jessica and was cooking but could not figure out why nothing was working. Turns out I used corn flour instead of white flour. Big mistake. I still brought them to Jessica’s and they liked them but I thought they were horrible. Then I stayed and talked to them. It was really hard at first. I did not know what to say but it got a lot easier as the night progressed. I had a ton of fun. But it is hard because they are not used to my way of speaking and they know less English than their mom so it was very difficult.

Cooked Banana
• A ton of super unripe bananas. Ones that you cannot peel without a knife. Hard as rocks 15-20
• Tomotoes4-6
• Onions 1
• salt
• Oil
1. Peel banana and put in a pot. Fill halfway to top of bananas with water. Boil until soft like a potato
2. In a separate pan sauté onions. Then add the tomatoes and salt and cook until liquid. Then add cook bananas and coat in tomatoes. Cook 5 minutes

July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July. So wish I was at the cottage right now. I went to Paul’s house yesterday afternoon until today. Me, Jake, and him had our own little party. It was nice we made sweet and sour pork and drank some beers. It was better than nothing. Although I had a hard time keeping up with the conversation. Paul and Jake are really intense. Always talking about TZ culture and politics it is just a lot to take sometimes but it was nice. Although at one point it really made me miss home and everyone. God I just wish I could teleport sometimes and come to the cottage. How sweet would that be. Also Congrats to BETSY. I hear you are getting married. Really I just needed to come to TZ and everyone and their mom get married I think I am up to about 8 people. That is so many. I still expect a few more too.

My friend Jake has hopes of marrying a TZ girl here. I am a little skeptical because I just do not see how it could work. She is from a small village and only speaks Swahili and he is American and let’s be honest his Swahili is not that good. But it he really wants to make it work. I think it would be interesting. I mean marriage is hard enough add into it language and 2 different cultures I think he is going to have his work cut out for him.

I have a full week of work which is really good but kind of stinks because Randi has the week off and Claire just got back and is staying at the beach. If ya did not remember I LOVE The beach. But it is good I have to go into town tomorrow and buy medicine to vaccinate all the chickens I think within the next 2 weeks I have about 500 chickens to vaccinate. It is going to be a long 2 weeks.

Paul made pancakes with oatmeal and bananas today. I think I am going to try them they sound awesome. I am also going to try granola, we will have to see how that turns out. Also I feel like all I have been doing the last few days is eating. I really think I have gained like 10 pounds. Every time I go to Jessica’s I eat, She tells me I need to eat there because otherwise I have to eat by myself at home which she doesn’t like. Which is fine but I need to stop eating so much. I need some self control which I do not have when it comes to food. I LOVE food.

My neighbor Jelly who is like 8 braided all of my hair today. She was very happy about it. It looked like an 8 year old did it. I put a hat on after she left. But she was really proud.

July 5, 2011

It was another eventful day. Paul came over and we met with the principal of the secondary school. We are trying to get solar power to the school so it is taking a little bit. But it is coming along, we could possibly have it by October or not at all. Who knows. We also asked about our teaching schedule because school starts next week. Surprise surprise we will not know until next week or the week after that. It is amazing how their school system works. It drives me crazy.

I super cleaned my house and now only have a tone of laundry to do. Housework is moving along, but really slowly. Also got a call from PC today about my grant. They said they thought it would be processed at the end of the week. Keep your fingers crossed. This grant is driving me crazy. I vaccinated more chickens today and saw some of my group members bandas. They look AMAZING. I am so proud of them.

Going to try out the GPS tomorrow. Should be fun.

July 6, 2011

I woke up super early this morning to vaccinate for my neighbor. I called her name a ton but she did not answer. I did not know what to do. Should I wake her or not so I did not and went back home to bed. I never know what to do in those instances. Do I wake them or let them sleep. I have a little of my Dad in me I think. We vaccinated about 100 chickens today and I get to wake up again tomorrow early. Yay. I love waking up in the states early, but here I think it might be one of my least favorite things. I think it has something to do with the fact that I cannot take naps here so my day is just that much longer. Not sure. Also going with old Jesca and Raheli to the subvillage (suburbs) for a visit. Should be pretty fun.
We had a meeting today and got to try the new soap and made some more soap. It was really nice, even nicer because as a group they decided on their own without me bringing it up that they are now going to contribute 1000 shs (75 cents) every month to the group to use as they see fit. I am so happy I cannot even describe this. I think the fact that they are attempting things on their own and thinking this could possibly be sign that this could last after I am gone or at least they women will benefit more while I am here. I really hope it works, I know it is still early but as of yet, these women can do no wrong in my eyes.

I made potato cheese soup today. Did not like it at all. All it really did was remind me that my mom makes the best cheese soup (well her or Arnies) and that I do not know how to make it yet. Really need to ask her how to make this although I do not see it working here. I have all these potatoes now and am not sure what to try and make. I was thinking of attempting potatoes pancakes but I am not sure yet. Again they are not going to be as good as my Dad’s or 5th street, so is their really a reason to make them at all.

Also passed a dog at night that I really thought was going to attack, luckily Talita jumped at it. This got me to thinking that I am pretty sure I would be like a deer caught in the head lights when it comes to a something attacking me. Not good, why can I not remember to just jump at it and yell. I am not very confident that I could fend off a dog. Good thing I rarely walk alone at night.

July 7, 2011

And the vaccinations continue. I have to go into town tomorrow for the day and get more medicine which is cool, but also a lot of work. I really need some exercise so I am going to bike in, in the morning charge my phone because it is dead and bike back in the afternoon.
I am now deathly afraid of dogs. I am not sure what happened but literally in the span of 24 hours all the dogs in the village went to hating me. I really think that I am going to get attacked. Luckily Talita is with me and will stop them. I do not know what happened but now all I see when I see a dog is it getting ready to attack. Probably doesn’t help that I am sure dogs can smell fear. New goal is to make it 2 years without getting attacked by a dog.
Woke up super early this morning and had 2 cups of espresso coffee which definitely helped me wake up, but also made me super antsy. I went with Raheli and old Jesca to one of the sub villages today. It was super fun but a really, really long day. It was an hour walk their and back with a side trip in between. We talked about all the volunteers on the way their and their love interests as well as me not having a husband yet. They did not seemed to worried that I am still husbandless. I think they are in the minority in the village. Most people think that I should be married and popping out kids at the moment. That sounds super scary. Definitely not ready for that yet.

Also super weird how you notice something and then it starts popping out every where or talking about something. Happened today when I asked about what a person was eating yesterday. It turns out that they dip ugali in yogurt. SO think stiff stiff corn bread in yogurt that has gone bad. I though t it sounded disgusting and then we went to the subvillage and that is what they had for lunch. I took one sip and thought I was going to die. I really thought I was going to be so so sick. But again my body has surprised me and I am totally fine. I had flashes of me having to ride a motorcycle to town to go to the hospital because I was so sick that I could not even walk. I think I have a very over active imagination.

July 8, 2011

I biked into town today to get more chicken medicine and Randi talked me into staying the night. I was actually halfway into town before I decided. I have no willpower I have decided. We had cheese so we made quesadillas which were awesome with a vegetable salad . It was amazing and then we had yogurt and popcorn for dinner. Food is good this week. Tomorrow we are having pizza and chocolate cake. Food is so amazing.

I also talked to PC and they were processing my Chicken Grant today so hopefully this means that I will have the money in my account within the next few weeks. This is so exciting and awesome after tons of frustrations and everything. Now I just have to get all the women to finish their bandas. Which I think they will be able to do soon because they just finished harvesting so they should have time. The bandas so far are amazing. Words cannot describe. I will take pictures of them and try to be better about putting pictures up. Although in all actuality I do not take to many pictures I think I need to start being more like Aunt Suzette or Aunt Tricia in that aspect of my life.

Also cleaned Claire’s house today because she is coming home tomorrow and found out that the ants had somehow gotten into my taco shells and bacon that I was saving for when she came home. Very Very disappointed I was looking so forward to a BLT and enchiladas. I guess I just was not suppose to eat bacon.

July 9, 2011

OMG. Randi made chocolate cake and pizza for a us today. I think it is in the top 5 best pizza’s of all time behind Gino’s and Fracano’s. it was so good it begs me to ask the question will I buy frozen pizza ever again or just make it from scratch. Although in reality I love frozen pizza and boxed pizza and you need time to make pizza from scratch. So the answer is probably not, but it was that amazing. And then the cake had passion fruit icing on it. Passion fruit is my favorite fruit at the moment. Really, really good dinner. And then to top it off Claire got home today, so now our Mpwapwa Posse is back. Really happy about this. It makes life so much more fun and interesting. It felt like Christmas when she opened her bag to show us all the stuff she got and told us about her vacation.

Also I talked to my friend Tanya today about Chickens. She called me to ask me some questions because she was chicken sitting (yes they do this here). She said that in 2 days she had already freaked out that she had lost one of the chickens because it had not come home at night, but they miraculously showed up the next day. And then today she found one of the chicks had fallen into the toilet and as she tried to fish it out, she flushed it down the toilet. Later the same day another one died of natural causes we think. Not really sure, how do ya know. I told her not to worry because chicks have a very high death rate but I also told her maybe she should put the third and final chick in a bucket and keep guard over it just so that one survives the night. I also told her I thought she might be off the hook for chicken sitting from now on. This all makes me a little weary for my chickens. I know statistically that there are going to be deaths within the first few weeks, but I just hope I get to give all the chickens away before they die. That way there can be the possibility that I did not kill them.

Also finished the tv show Parenthood. I really liked it.

July 10, 2011

Another great day. Of course how I can it not be when I get to hang out with Claire and Randi. Randi cooked again today. She made cornmeal pancakes which were AMAZING even better with maple syrup, bananas, and peanuts. Not sure if I said this also but we put peanuts on the pizza yesterday and it was amazing. Don’t knock it before ya try it. It was so so good. Not as good as Grant introducing us to banana peppers on pizza. Another great topping. We also had sushi because I brought seaweed back and Randi’s mom sent smoked salmon.

We walked up TIGO hill today which is really just a hill that has a radio tower on top of it but it was really really fun and some much needed exercise. It is super steep at certain points and these are the times when I was trying to explain to them about Harry Potter and Star Wars. Let’s just say they were not to impressed with me at this point in time.
Also Tanya lost her third chicken today. Yup not thinking she is going to every have to watch chickens again.

July 11, 2011

I screwed around with my GPS today. It is amazing how fast you forgot things. I used to be pretty good with a GPS and now I cannot remember a thing. I seem to have a very bad memory. Me and Claire were talking about this. I seem to have a very short term memory. I told her that I just didn’t see the need to remember bad things and then she reminded me that I do not remember hardly anything. Which is true. She usually has to tell me that we have already had this conversation before. Think I need to start doing some crossword puzzles or Sudoku and work on getting a better memory. I do not really have a problem with it but I am sure it drives others nuts. At ,least I remember the important stuff.

Also got scared to death today because I thought I heard a mouse. It was a pretty good back up into a fall with my plate of food going everywhere. Not really sure why I am so jumpy and everything when it comes to insects and mice considering that I do live in Africa but I defiantly have a problem with them here. Pretty close to my fear of snakes in the US. Although I do not have any protective rain boots here to make me feel invincible.

I watched a documentary from Fred called American Teen. It was not too bad, it follows a group of kids from Warsaw, Indiana. Allow I noticed when I saw this that he gave me a bunch of Nitro Circus which I am super excited about watching.

Talked to Andrew today. It is crazy how he can call me when he is going to bed and I am waking up. It boggles the mind. It was nice to talk to him, he is starting to look for a new apartment which is good but I really like his one now. But of course I do not live there so really it doesn’t matter. He is also going to see Bon Iver which I think is going to be a really good show. I never heard of him until I went home and Andrew and Stephi were listening to them. I love that we all listen to different types of music because it gives us all a pretty wide range of stuff to listen too. Even Eddie B is good every now and then. Also the more I think about it and talk to Andrew, the more I can see myself living in Chicago. I love visiting and the fact that you can walk everywhere and take the train. And there are tons of things to do and see and Andrew is there. Could be really fun just not exactly sure what I would do for a job yet.

Band To look up: The Beautiful South

July 13, 2011
First off the wind was horrible today. I felt like I was riding into a brick wall today. And this was with me walking half of the trip. It probably also did not help that my bag weighed like 50 pounds. Not sure how that happened. At least it was a good work out.
Today my women’s group made banana jam. It was super easy and it was awesome. I also made some bread to try it with. Things are going so good with this group I just could not be any prouder. We are making 2 types of wine next week which could either be a good or bad thing. But I think it is going to be good.

I vaccinated more chickens today and along the way we ran into a mamma and grandma fighting hardcore. It was the first fight that I have actual ever seen. I have to say I was actually a little scared because they were going all out. We were just walking by. Talita thinks that it had to do with drinking because we were by the open market. I am going to ask Jessica tomorrow.
So Jessica told me that the counterpart of the last volunteer here just ended up in jail. Weird how that works. Even weirder because he was 1 of 3 people that she vouched for in the village. Luckily I have the Jessica’s and I really do not see them every getting into trouble but again ya never know.

So I am freaking out a little bit. I was in a great mood and then I got a call from PC asking about my vacation days. I still think I am going to get to go home but it really scared me that they might say no. Although Claire did point out that they just wanted to confirm all my days. I do not know I just freak out sometimes. And of course I hate being said no to. But it was really weird I went from an AWESOME mood to completely falling apart. Claire said it wasn’t too bad at least not yet because I did not have a trembling lip. Good to know you can gauge my freak outs by my facial expressions. Still no word yet though. Really hope I get to go home, although I do not see any big reason why this should be a problem, at least in my eyes.

I was asking talita about how to say things in Kiswahili and it is was funny because I realize that I use so so many more words than I need to. Instead of just saying I need to talk to her I say tell her that I came and that I want to talk with her. Not sure why I have to make it so difficult and leave myself room for more error. Although my women’s group today told me that
language was awesome. It made me feel really good even if it still sucks tons.

July 14, 2011

Where to begin with today. Today I woke up and am trying to finish Friday Night Light but I have been too busy to do this. I went to old Jessica’s this morning and hung out with her daughters. They are really nice. Agnus really likes me, although honestly I am not sure if it is because I am white or she genuinely wants to talk to me. Unlike her sister Mama Caesar who is awesome. Just have not figures Agnus out all the way yet but either way it was really fun. I always have such a hard time leaving there both because I want to stay and I really do not know how to leave. Again today I tried to leave so I could get some work done but I ended up staying longer and ate tons. They always get me with the food and the fact that I live alone so it is much easier just to eat over there. Also saw old Jessica’s banda it is so nice. She wants me to keep my chickens there too. Also another lady who is building a banda, Nelly, is building an awesome one. I could not be more proud it is amazing.

While I was there, the goats came home. And they said that they had been eating sorghum so now they could not drink water because if they did their stomachs would explode. I have to wonder about this one. It could totally be true but it sounds more like an old wives tale to me.
Still no word from PC yet. Luckily I have been so busy I have not even worried about it. Which is really good.

Also it is so so dusty here. I can even smell the dust. Not going to enjoy these next few months as much, I think I am just going to feel super dirty. I feel like water is going to dictate my life. Should I exercise, should I go here or there. It is all going to depend on how much water it takes or uses. Wish I did not have to live like this but what ya going to do. Started running again today and it was hard. I felt so sluggish. I really hope I can stick with it because I really need the energy boast I have just been feeling BLAH lately and am always super tired. So I think the exercise will be good for me.

Today a lady asked me about make soap and learning about chickens. I told her she needed to form a group first. Not sure what I am going to do about this, I think once the women all get there chickens, tons of people are going to start to ask me for help. I do not know what to do. I know I cannot help everyone and I do not want to teach them the stuff that I already taught so not sure what is going to happen here. Although I really think that nothing will come of this because the second I ask other people to do things most of the time it does not get done and just sits there. I put the ball in their court and they do nothing with it most of the time although there are some exceptions as with my women’s group.

July 15, 2011

Did my first pre-test today. It went alright. I have a lot of stuff to tweak in the future if I am correct. I also thought that people would able to tell me the amount of sticks they used per day. I am not sure why I thought this as I do not think I would keep count either but I have to work on this and switch some questions around. It is really nerve racking starting this. I am not sure why. I just feel a little uneasy about the whole thing like I am really going to make a mess of it. Not sure how but I just want to do my best.

I went the secondary school today and am now teaching freshmen chemistry once a week. I am scared shitless. In the meeting I went back and forth from saying I would teach to not. It was really bad. I am not sure why but it really scares me to teach. But I am going to give it a try, if I do not like it, I will just stop doing it although I hate quitting things so this will be interesting. Hopefully I will love it although I am not sure how I could. You have 50-80 students staring at you for 40 minutes. Doesn’t that just sound like so much fun. then add in the fact that I speak horrible Swahili. Oh this is going to be interesting.

So at the moment I have lots to freak out about. I am sure Claire, Randi, and Tanya are going to want to kill me within the next few weeks. I think I am going to be constantly worrying about teaching chemistry, my research, and finding out if my travel has gotten approved. It should be a fun next few weeks. But I am really excited to start the research I just really do not want to screw it up. Although who am I a kidding very rarely do things go smoothly for me, so I will probably have some bumps in the road in the next few weeks. I just really hope that they are just small bumps. But if ya do not start ya will never know so at least I am starting.

July 18, 2011

Went into town yesterday and went for a hike with the gang. It was awesome we went for a 4 hour hike and then walked into town and went to the bar for some beers and food. We then went to Claire’s and ate cheesecake and watched How I Met Your Mother. This might have been one of the best days of my life although I am not sure my thoughts on hiking yet. I really thought that I enjoyed it but lately I have been hiking and just realizing how much work it is. I am really lazy these days but the hike was well worth the view.

If yesterday was the best day today was one of the worst. It started off with me looking at plane tickets again to make sure they are still about the same price. I do not want to buy my ticket until I get the ok which should be soon considering I pester them every week and it has been a month. So I thought my ticket had gone up 500 dollars and I was super pissed. I sent an email to Andrew and then I thought I am just going to check that again. Yup I typed in the destinations wrong. I felt like the biggest idiot, I got so worked up about it only to realize that it was my own mistake although I really think it has been long enough. It is weird how much you can go from hating to loving PC. I read something this morning that made me really happy and glad I was here and then got super frustrated with them all in the matter of minutes.
SO today I vaccinated more chickens and while I was doing this, I ended up running from a drunk guy (not sure why, Talita started running so I did too) and then I feel in a huge ditch and now my whole body is in pain. I am so clumsy sometimes. I think I did scare Talita though with my fall after that she shoed me every rock in stone at sight so I could miss it.

Also I had my first tick on me today. I did not know they even lived here. The little kids noticed it on my foot without them that littler critter would still be living on me.

July 19, 2011

Today was another busy day. I was awoken by my egg kids which was ok because I needed eggs and I knew Andrew was going to call, so I talked to Andrew for a bit until my phone decided it had been long enough. I really hate how bad my network is, it just makes me want to scream. I then attempted doughnuts but they turned out bad everyone else thought they were good but I thought they were horrible and I was a little scared that they might make my stomach upset because they were fried in oil so I gave them to almost everyone I saw today. Weird that I have no problem eating fried foods when I am not the one cooking but as soon as I try and cook I cannot eat it. Not really sure how this works but it need to stop.

Then I went to school with Paul and we taught or should I say he taught and I listened to English Form 1 and environment education form 2. It was uneventful although I stood for 4 hours and tried to listen really hard so inevitable I needed a nap after all of this which I took and it was wonderful. I then washed some clothes and did some more work.

I really want to be a good chemistry teacher so I am trying to make a good lesson plan for tomorrow I am trying to think of some experiments that I can do with the stuff I have in my house. A non procrastinator would have figured this stuff out in town so that they could buy the stuff that they needed. But of course that would be too easy. So this is what I am thinking: I am going to light acetone (nail polish remover on fire on the board), show them how lime corrodes metal, and let them smell some bleach. Not sure if this is cheesy or genius yet we will find out tomorrow. Also going to be interesting because I am teaching in English to kids that can hardly understand it. I think they might be on the same level as me only reversed. If Chemistry was not hard enough without a language barrier. Hope I can do a good job.

Also I got the ok today to go home. It turns out that I just need to have a minor freak attack and get mad at PC before everything turns out alright. I do not understand why things always get so crazy for me before they get better, but it seems that I need to have an almost melt down before I get answer on almost everything I do here. From trying to start projects to cooking even. This is not a good way to live. So I shall be coming home for Ashleigh’s wedding which I am really excited about, I will get to see my cousin Kendra’s twins, and hopefully my cousin Heather’s baby if things work out how they are suppose to. It should be a good trip and of course go to Robinette’s for some apple cider and the Monarch for a beer. I really miss being able to sit at a bar and enjoy myself, the atmosphere is just not the same here. Me and Randi seem to just attract crazy people. Not too enjoyable when you have a man staring at you while you are trying to enjoy yourself. This same man may or may not have his hand down his pants at the same time depending if you talk to Claire or Randi. Either way, way to awkward.

July 20, 2011

OMG, it has been so busy today. It started off this morning again with the egg girls. Which is good because I need eggs but I would so much rather be woken up by birds singing instead of a knock on the door. But it was good, it got me up. Jesca has been adamant about washing my blanket so today we washed my blankets, I kept telling her that I could do it but of course she did not believe. She was right there is no way that I could wash this blanket by myself, just helping made me tired.

I had my first chemistry class today. I actually think it went pretty well. I did not throw up before class which is good although I have to be honest I am not sure how much of it they understood. Chemistry is hard enough without trying to learn it in another language. The problem with chemistry is there are a lot of words that do not translate to Swahili and at the same time how do you teach a kid about different chemicals and lab procedures without a lab or any hands on learning. It is INSANE. I brought in some chemicals today as examples and showed them a few experiments. My favorite one was putting acetone on the chalkboard and lighting it on fire. I still remember this one from Mrs. Piers sophomore year chemistry class. It is so cool although it did not work as good today because of the light. Oh well I tried at least.
I am also getting really sick of vaccinating chickens. I know that it is a good thing but it just takes up so much of my nights. I like to relax at night but I have been out the last month and half really. It is really screwing up my exercise and chill schedule.
I made probably the worst food ever today. First I made pilau and did not cook the rice long enough and added some greens which actually made the whole mess worse. It was very sad. I then attempted no bake cookies but I wanted to ¼ the recipe and miss calculated so they taste like dark chocolate which would be good except I hate dark chocolate.

Might be going into town tomorrow now, I talked to Tanya today and she has me freaking out about getting to Iringa on Sunday. I guess Iringa bus tickets are hard to get, so we need to buy them early. SO I think I might be going tomorrow which is ok but I seriously have felt like I am in a whirl wind the last few weeks, which is really good, I just have not had a second to breath but I really cannot complain to much I guess.

I also shut my neighbors haNd in the door today. I felt super bad about this and wanted to help her, but I was at a loss for words. She ran away crying but luckily I saw her later and she was not mad at me. Jackie is like 4. Reminded me of the time my dad shut my hand in the door and then got mad at me for putting it there. Gotta love it.

Still watching the West Wing per Alex’s recommendation and it is AWESOME. I am addicted now. It makes me want to be in politics or at the very least understand politics and what it going on in our country. Sadly that is a little hard from here although Jake keeps trying to talk to me about them. He has yet to realize that I do not know or care about them.

I almost forgot the biggest news of the day, old Jesca daughter is getting married which is awesome because I think I will get to go to the wedding. I feel like part of there family. They are just the best people that anyone could ask for. But anyways, they still pay a bride price here. Is that not the craziest thing you have ever heard.